Tag: hiking

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Your Early-Spring Outdoor Bucket List

Spring Awakening: Your Essential Guide to Early-Season Outdoor Adventures

As we emerge from the grip of winter, the shoulder season is upon us! This is your guide to embracing the wild wonders of nature during these transitional months, packed with exciting activities to keep you outdoors and loving every muddy minute of it.

EXPLORE OUTDOORS

Early Spring hiking offers a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature as we transition into a season of renewal.

Our Guide to the Best Hiking Trails will help you plan your route.

From there, enhance your outdoor adventure by including a scavenger hunt, perfect for families and solo hikers alike. Enjoy observing the emergence of new plant life and listening to the melodies of the forest. Kids will love playing “Eye Spy”, discovering the sights and sounds of the wilderness. While adults may enjoy a slower pace, turning their hike into a mindful meditation surrounded by the tranquility of the forest.

Don’t forget to gear up the muddy, wet and occasionally icy terrain with waterproof boots!

Jumping in puddles is optional (but definitely encouraged!)



TRY COLD PLUNGING

As the lakes begin their spring thaw, consider adding cold plunging to your outdoor activity list.

Beyond the exhilarating rush, cold plunging offers numerous benefits for both physical and mental health, such as improved circulation, heightened alertness, enhanced mood and lower anxiety levels.

Our waterfront cabins are the perfect location to practice plunging, with the lake just steps from your door.

Be sure to exercise caution whenever cold plunging and always go with a buddy!




ENJOY MAPLE SYRUP SEASON

March & Early April is Maple Season in Ontario. Celebrate the sweetest season of all with a visit to the Sugar Shack to check out how sap is collected and produced into the sticky, sweet deliciousness we all know and love. With all four of our regions featuring nearby Maple activities, this is one experience you won’t want to miss out on.

For more inspiration be sure to check out our detailed Maple Season Guide.

LOOK UP AT THE STARS

With temperatures becoming less frigid, early Spring is an excellent time to bundle up and head outside gaze up at the stars. With several celestial events on the horizon this season you won’t want to miss out on the awe-inducing beauty of staring up at the night sky!

Get out of the city and head to one of our remote cabin locations which provide the perfect, unobstructed backdrop for viewing the stars and constellations.

Upcoming celestial events include:

For more details check out our Guide to Star Gazing in Ontario

CREATE A CABIN CRAFT

Let nature spark your creativity! When weather conditions aren’t ideal consider an indoor craft inspired by the great outdoors.

Cabin crafts are for adventurers of all ages and can include:

  • Colouring, drawing & sketching
  • Fibre arts such as knitting and crochet
  • Needlepoint & embroidery
  • Painting

Kids (and kids at heart) will love creating a Leaf Collage. During a hike collect fallen leaves of varying kinds and bring them back to the cabin. Spend time arranging the leaves into a collage and use a glue stick to stick them to your paper of choice. The perfect souvenir to take home from your trip!

EXPLORE LOCAL-WONDERS

Early spring is a great time to explore the local wonders of the region, visit small towns, farms, provinicial parks and partake in unique activities.

Fan Favourite:
The Wolf Centre in Haliburton Forest. This self-guided experience offers educational exhibits on wolf behaviour and ecology. Be sure to visit the observatory where you may even catch an exciting glimpse of the forest’s Wolf Pack!

Local tourism sites are a great resource when planning the perfect, early-spring getaway. Each of our four regions, Lanark, Calabogie, Haliburton and Kawartha offer a wide range of local experiences and activities for you to enjoy.




Grab your boots and your sense of adventure, because the shoulder season is calling! Embrace the mud, the challenges and most importantly embrace the beauty of early spring in all it’s untamed glory.

Ready to turn your early spring daydreams into reality? Our cozy cabins offer the perfect sanctuary to reconnect with the great outdoors. Reserve your time in nature and let the rejuvenating magic of early spring unfold around you.

EXPLORE OUR CABINS

Blog by: Rachel Naish & Photo Credits: Zach Washburn, Sarah Vander Zaag, Vanessa Moniz

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Off-Grid Camping Tents

Off-Grid Camping Tents

Get back to basics this summer by embracing the wonders of off-grid camping in Ontario!

Just 1.5 hours away from the hustle and bustle of Toronto city life, our six canvas glamping tents provide a unique opportunity to reconnect with nature, rejuvenate your spirit, and create cherished memories with loved ones.

Here’s the low-down on what makes our tents awesome:

THE BASICS

Our six tents are located in the Kawarthas on a magnificent 230-acre property encompassing a 55-acre crystal clear spring-fed quarry lake.

Tents are located in a forested area on our private property, each on its own secluded lot. All tents are identical in design and come with:

  • A comfy, queen sized bed
  • A bistro set with 2 chairs
  • 2 Muskoka chairs
  • Picnic table
  • Campfire pit with fire top grill
  • Storage containers
  • Drinking water

WHAT TO PACK

  • Food & drink
  • Dishware, cutlery, and pots/pans for cooking (tents include a fire top grill, but guests should bring their own camp stove if preferred)
  • Sheets, pillows, and blankets
  • Towels for the lake
  • Firewood 
  • Bug repellent (critters are a reality of the great outdoors!)

HOW TO COOK

To provide an authentic camping experience, our tents do not have a cooking stove or running water.

We provided 40L of potable water for drinking, cooking, etc and campers can enjoy meals cooked over the fire OR bring their own camp stove.

THE CALL OF NATURE

There is a shared comfort station on site with two composting toilets, and two outdoor showers to ensure you have a comfortable and convenient stay.

ADDED COMFORTS

At Cabinscape, it’s all in the details so we added a few comforts of home to enhance your stay:

  • Romantic festoon lighting
  • 2 Bedside table lamps with a USB phone charger (this is low voltage, so other items cannot be plugged in)
  • A couple board games and playing cards
  • Biodegradable dish soap, shampoo, body wash and conditioner


FUN THINGS TO DO

The opportunities are endless!

  • Swimming or snorkeling off the communal dock
  • Paddle-boarding or canoeing (available to rent)
  • Hiking the onsite trails
  • Share stories and meals by the campfire
  • Roast marshmallows under the stars
  • Create cherished memories that will last a lifetime.

If that’s not enough action, visit our Kawartha Summer Adventure Guide HERE for great activities to do in the surrounding area.


Off-grid camping is more than just an escape—it’s an opportunity to forge deeper connections with your loved ones. Spend your days exploring nature trails, swimming in the lake, or simply basking in the tranquility of your surroundings.

Whether you choose to immerse yourself in the serenity of a canvas tent or opt to unwind in a cozy cabin instead, your off-grid experience promises to be nothing short of extraordinary. Book your stay today and let the adventure begin!

EXPLORE OUR KAWARTHA TENTS

Blog by: Sarah Vander Zaag & Photo Credits: Marianne, Eleftheria Vatti, Bianca Compagnoni, Martha Edmunds

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Hiking Tips for Accessing Our Off-Grid Cabins

Hiking Tips for Accessing Our Off-Grid Cabins

Winter transforms Ontario’s woodlands into a magical wonderland, and what better way to experience it than by hiking in to our off-grid cabins nestled deep in the snowy forests?

Here are our top tips for an adventurous and safe winter hike to your cozy cabin retreat!

Know Your Route

Familiarize yourself with the directions and distances (found in your welcome email sent to you one week prior to your stay) before embarking on your hike. Keep an eye out for trail markers and signs along the way!

If you’re feeling lost, don’t panic! Our Cabinscape text support line is available to provide guidance between 8am-8pm (number in welcome email).

Give Yourself Time

Check-in at our cabins is at either 3 or 4pm (you can find this info under the FAQs on your cabins web page), so plan to arrive with plenty of daylight to get yourself situated at the cabin before the sun sets. We highly recommend that you start your hike before the check in time – our trails are well marked but it is easier to miss signs in the dark.

Check the Weather

Winter weather can be unpredictable, so stay updated on forecasts and conditions before heading out.

Pack Light, Pack Right

If hiking in after the sun has set, be sure to pack a flashlight or head-torch (and maybe some heat packs if your extremities get cold quickly and you have a longer trek)

Check out our handy guide here: THINGS TO BRING for a packing list, and to learn what’s already included at the cabin.

We provide a Pelican Pull Sled (or wagon when there is no snow) to assist you with hauling in your gear! This will be waiting for you at the parking area of your cabin.

Gear Up for the Cold

Bundle up like a pro! Opt for breathable layers, waterproof outerwear, sturdy boots with good traction, and don’t forget your trusty mittens and toque.

We provide two sets of snowshoes as well so your feet can stay warm, dry, and conquer those trails!

Embrace the Winter Wildlife

Keep your eyes peeled for signs of wildlife along the trail—tracks in the snow, rustling in the trees, or the occasional glimpse of a furry friend sharing their home with you!

Respect “Leave No Trace” Principles

Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but memories! As there is no garbage services at our off-grid cabins, we ask that you pack out all your garbage and leave the wilderness as pristine as you found it. Let’s keep Ontario’s forests wild and beautiful for generations to come!


Most importantly, we hope you enjoy the adventure! Winter hiking isn’t just about reaching your destination—it’s about the journey. Take your time, savour the sights and sounds of the forest, and embrace the serenity of the snowy landscape.

Adventure awaits, explorers! See you on the trails!

BOOK YOUR CABIN ESCAPE

If you decided hiking wasn’t for you we also have some great low-remote and drive-up cabins! Read our handy blog here to find your PERFECT CABIN MATCH! Or travel to your cabin in style with our 4WD shuttle delivery- this is available for our Haliburton Base Camp Cabins (Moss, Pine, Sage, Ivy, Jade) and our Haberman Road High Remotness Cabins (Willow, Cove, Kaya, Big Rock, and Quasi)

Blog by: Sarah Vander Zaag & Photo Credits: Chris and Nicole, thisis.jaeh